From all the specifications on the back of a can of oil, can you tell just how good it really is?

 

I came across some reasonably priced oils the other day, and grabbed a leaflet. Tell me what you think.

 

Oil 1. Fully synth, 5w/40 ACEA A3 B3 B4 API SL/CF VW 505 MB 229.1 CMCC G5/PD2 Meets standards of MERC, ROVER, RENAULT, FORD, FIAT, VAUXHALL, TOYOTA, NISSAN PORSCHE, BMW ETC

 

Oil 2. Semi synth, 10w/40 ACEA A3 B3 B4 API SL/CH4 VW505 MB229.1 Meets standards of ROVER & BMW

 

Oil 3. Semi Synth, 5w/30 ACEA A1 B1 API SL/CF FORD WSS M2C912-A1 FORD WSS M2C913-A

 

Oil 4. Mineral, 10w/30, 10w/40, 15w/40, 15w/50, ACEA A3 B3 B4 E2 API SL/CH4 MERC. 228.1 & 229.1 MAN 271 VOLVO VDS VW 505

 

What do you make of that lot? Some of them (oil 2 & 3) seem to be developed in conjunction to the car manufacturers?

 

Regards,

 

Robert.

many oils are listed when they meet manufacturers specs. at merc we use Mobil.

merc specs 229.1; 229.3 & 229.5 are met by many other oil manufaturers other than Mobil so are therefore fine to use :)

Sorry for not replying but I seemed to have missed this one.

 

Specs, well most of the listed ones 505.00 VW and 229.1 MB are very basic specs and not really fussy over which oils are used. These specs have been surpassed since, MB

are now on 229.5 for example.

 

VW 505.00 is as follows:

 

VW 500.00

This is an “old” oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999)

Viscosity ratings: SAE 5w-40, 10w-40 or 20w-40

This oil can be used in all petrol and some diesel engines, apart from those referred to under other specifications.

 

It's not really a great spec especially for a performance car like yours which would require a better oil to be honest.

 

What I'm trying to say is it's OK but nothing special and you need something better.

 

Cheers

Simon